"I have HPV and am wondering how best to approach the subject with new partners. Will a regular condom prevent transmission, or do I need a female condom? And will I ever be able to have sex without one?"

The good news is that HPV (human papilloma virus) is not necessarily a lifelong infection; in fact, 90 percent of HPV cases spontaneously clear out of a woman's system after two years, and 70 percent of cases clear out after just a year. Using a condom decreases the chance that the virus will be transmitted. The virus may lurk in skin that is not covered by the condom, however, so even if you use one, there is a small chance the virus will still spread. Female condoms are larger, covering much of the vulva as well as the vagina, so they may protect better against transmission of HPV. These can be hard to find in stores but are available online (look for the FC brand).

As for sharing this information with a new partner, yes, talking about a sexually transmitted infection can be hard. But HPV is extremely widespread, and chances are your guy has already heard of it or had a similar discussion in the past. Simply tell him the facts: You have been exposed to HPV. It is common. Once the virus has been cleared from your body (your gyno will test for it regularly if you're over 30), you won't have to have this conversation again and you can have sex without a condom if you are certain that your partner does not have a sexually transmitted infection, that is.

Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia Universitys College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and the author of Pleasure. Send your questions to her at askhilda@redbookmag.com.